Team Malaysia

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Malaysia's drop in FIFA world ranking from 153 to 164 alarming - Khairy

PUTRAJAYA, April 14 (Bernama) -- Youth and Sports Minister Khairy
Jamaluddin did not mice his words when informed that Malaysia has
dropped from 153rd to an alarming 164th in the FIFA World ranking list
within a period of two months.

The National team's current FIFA ranking does not make sense, because in February, Malaysia were in 153rd position.

Khairy said Malaysia's position in the FIFA ranking list defies logic
because Malaysia are ranked lower than some Asean countries although the
squad under Dollah Salleh were able to reach at least the semifinal or
final in the SEA Games or the AFF Suzuki Cup.

"We can't say Malaysia are the worst ranked country in Asean but
rankings are based on the kind of tournaments chosen to play. The
Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has its own plans.

"Maybe the tournaments chosen by the FAM are tough tournaments that
resulted in losses and affected the ranking. FAM had clarified that
choosing better teams to play against was intentional, so that the
players can gain exposure and experience," he told reporters, here
today.

Khairy said the current focus for the country was however, not the
ranking but rather the achievement at major events like the SEA Games,
AFF Suzuki Cup and AFC Cup.

Malaysia's 0-6 loss to Oman in an international friendly on March 26,
saw the country's position drop 11 places, the worst recorded this year,
since it put Malaysia on par with Bhutan (163), Grenada (165), Puerto
Rico (166), Hong Kong and Bangladesh (167).
-- BERNAMA